Technology Strategist

TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIST

Preferred Locations: San Jose/Bay Area, CA; MA; NE; NY; OH; TX; VA

Work Arrangement: Remote

COMPANY OVERVIEW

NextFlex is America's Hybrid Electronics Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII) — and the place where breakthrough electronics move from idea to impact.

As a national MII backed by industry leaders, academic innovations, and the U.S. Government, we bring together the people, partners, and capabilities needed to push the boundaries of how electronics are designed, manufactured, and scaled. Our mission is clear: establish advanced hybrid electronics manufacturing capability in the U.S. and accelerate technology development and deployment to enable electronics that are lighter, smarter, and require less power, while providing greater functionality. From healthcare wearables and next-gen communications to aerospace, automotive, industrial systems, and agriculture, NextFlex helps transform emerging technologies into solutions that strengthen U.S. competitiveness and unlock new possibilities across industries.

Building the industrial base requires more than just great ideas—it requires technological innovation, a manufacturing ecosystem, and a well-trained workforce. That's why NextFlex develops the future in each of these areas. Whether it's proving new fabrication processes, developing prototype systems, scaling up device manufacturing, or shaping the next generation of the U.S. advanced manufacturing workforce, NextFlex works with leaders across the country to achieve meaningful outcomes.

At NextFlex, you will join a collaborative team driven by mission, momentum, and measurable results. We offer competitive compensation, excellent benefits, and a work environment where you can grow your career while helping to design and build what's next.

POSITION SUMMARY

This is an exciting opportunity for a creative, thoughtful, and team-oriented person interested in driving the future of hybrid electronics technology and shaping technical program activity in collaboration with leaders in U.S. industry, universities, and government labs.

The Technology Strategist supports the development and execution of NextFlex strategic technology programs focused on advancing Hybrid Electronics and related advanced manufacturing technologies. The position works with industry, government, and academic stakeholders to identify critical technology and manufacturing needs, assess emerging capabilities, develop roadmaps for technology development and transition, and translate identified gaps into actionable programs and projects. The Technology Strategist will support technical projects, engage subject matter experts and end users, convene groups of industry, academic, and government leaders, and support the transition of emerging technologies toward manufacturing maturity and adoption.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Lead and support development of technology roadmaps, gap analyses, state-of-the-art assessments, and technology transition strategies.
• Assess emerging technologies and manufacturing approaches to identify technical gaps, barriers to adoption, manufacturing maturity, and opportunities for investment.
• Engage industry, government, academic, and Manufacturing USA stakeholders through technical meetings, interviews, site visits, workshops, and other collaborative activities.
• Translate stakeholder requirements and technical findings into prioritized technology objectives, development activities, milestones, metrics, and potential programs or projects.
• Develop and support strategic technical programs that connect emerging technologies with defense and commercial manufacturing needs and transition opportunities.
• Manage technical projects and programs involving multiple organizations and technical disciplines, including coordination with government sponsors, project performers, and other stakeholders.
• Review technical proposals, project plans, reports, and other technical documentation and provide technically informed recommendations.
• Identify technical, manufacturing, programmatic, and transition risks and work with stakeholders to develop appropriate mitigation approaches.
• Develop partnerships among technology developers, manufacturers, end users, government organizations, universities, and other relevant organizations.
• Develop, write, and deliver technical reports, roadmaps, presentations, briefings, proposals, and other materials for technical and executive audiences.
• Represent NextFlex at technical meetings, workshops, conferences, and other external engagements.
• Support planning events that contribute to these technical objectives.
• Maintain awareness of relevant developments in Hybrid Electronics, advanced manufacturing, materials, electronics, and related technology areas.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities but may lead multidisciplinary project teams, technical working groups, workshops, and other collaborative activities involving NextFlex employees and external stakeholders.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

On-Site/Hybrid (if applicable): On-site office work will be conducted using general office equipment, includes substantial sitting and is performed primarily in a typical indoor office setting with cubicles, offices, and conference rooms. Low to moderate noise and interruptions typical of an office setting, such as peer conversations, computers, printers, and phones.

Remote: Work is primarily performed in a remote-office environment using standard office equipment.

Off-Site Visits: The position may require visits to manufacturing facilities, laboratories, government facilities, universities, and other technical sites. Site visits may require use of appropriate personal protective equipment and compliance with facility-specific safety requirements.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Travel is required to support project activities, stakeholder meetings, site visits, workshops, conferences, and other NextFlex activities. Approximately 15% of travel is anticipated, including domestic travel to industry, government, academic, and partner facilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES)

• Master's degree in engineering, materials science, physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of three years of relevant professional experience with a Master's degree, or a Ph.D. with relevant research focus.
• Experience in advanced technology development, applied R&D, advanced manufacturing, technology transition, or a related technical activity.
• Strong technical foundation with the ability to understand and assess multidisciplinary engineering and manufacturing challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with technical experts and stakeholders across industry, government, and academia.
• Experience managing technical projects, programs, or collaborative R&D activities.
• Ability to synthesize technical information and stakeholder input into clear findings, priorities, recommendations, and actionable plans.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing technical reports and delivering presentations to technical and leadership audiences.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES)

1. Experience in hybrid electronics research or manufacturing.
2. Experience with advanced manufacturing technologies, particularly high-temperature materials, extreme-environment electronics, sensors, electronic materials, and/or advanced electronics manufacturing.
3. Experience developing technology roadmaps, conducting technology or manufacturing gap assessments, or developing technology transition strategies.
4. Experience assessing Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRLs), or similar technology maturity frameworks.
5. Experience transitioning emerging technologies from R&D toward production-relevant environments or commercial or defense applications.
6. Experience working with the U.S. Department of Defense, other federal agencies, Manufacturing USA institutes, or federally sponsored R&D programs.
7. Demonstrated track record of contribution to successful technical proposals.
8. Familiarity with manufacturing scale-up, qualification, reliability, standards, and other considerations affecting technology transition and adoption.
9. Experience delivering technical presentations at scientific conferences and sponsor/stakeholder briefings.

WORK AUTHORIZATION / REQUIREMENTS

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be one of the following: a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here .

Note: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

OTHER DUTIES 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER / VETERANS / DISABLED

NextFlex is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status of protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.